Student Ambassador Guidelines
- Overview of the program
- Who are Student Ambassadors?
- Role of Student Ambassadors
- The Student Ambassador obligations
- Responsibilities and Expectations
- Participation
Overview of the program
The University has established a volunteer student ambassador program as part of its prospective student outreach program. This program provides selected current UniSA students with the opportunity to participate in university representational activities.
The aims of the ambassador program are to:
- Provide a valuable marketing/communications related development opportunity for current students
- Provide an opportunity for secondary school and other prospective students to have direct contact with successful role models
- To assist the university in managing the increasing demand for representation in a variety of forums
Who are Student Ambassadors?
Student Ambassadors are undergraduate students who are usually in their second or third year of study. They are confident, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, are flexible, pro-active and able to present themselves well. They need to have a positive but realistic approach to University life and be willing to work as a member of a team.
Students Ambassadors will be required to promote the University and should offer appropriate and unbiased advice, so that prospective students are aware of the choices open to them. Student Ambassadors should share their own experiences but should always bear in mind that each student will have a different reason for wanting to go to a particular university, whether it is because of the course, location or recommendation.
Role of Student Ambassadors
- Work with young people to encourage, motivate and inspire them to commence, continue and complete their studies successfully.
- Actively participating in Open Days, information evenings, school visits and other events as requested by the Division or the DSR Team.
- Meeting and helping visitors to the university, for example parents and students.
- Provide students and parents with an insight into university life and study based on their own experiences.
- Provide students and parents with information on application and admission processes, the range of UniSA's programs and student services available.
Student ambassadors can be expected to provide this information at:
- Open Days
- Secondary school career evenings and expos
- Preference information events
- Nominated campus tours for prospective students
- Division / School based events and information evenings
At these forums, it is an expectation of the program that a UniSA staff member would always be in attendance.
Student Ambassadors are not required to:
- Undertake general administrative duties including photocopying, stuffing envelopes or filing.
If Divisions/DSR wishes to utilise university students for this purpose they can recruit student volunteers.
The Student Ambassador Obligations
- It is expected that a Student Ambassadors will be able to commit to the program for the entire year
- Student Ambassadors will be required to attend training workshops, professional development opportunities and meetings scheduled by the Division or the Domestic Student Recruitment Team for the Student Ambassador Program
- If selected, it is required that Ambassadors work approximately 5 events over the duration of their role in a calendar year
- Student Ambassadors must not have a disciplinary record or be currently under charges within the University judicial system
- Student ambassadors may be approached for assistance with other university activities and events
- Student Ambassadors must make a commitment to the mission of the University and the Student Ambassador Program and possess the following personal qualities: Desire to learn, Enthusiasm, Leadership, Responsibility, Dependability, Maturity, Initiative, Dedication, and Punctuality.
Responsibilities and Expectations of a Student Ambassador
A Student Ambassador will:
- Be reliable
- Arrive as promised
- Arrive at the required venue at least 15 minutes early
- Make sure they have the details of where the activity is being held and who is in charge
- Must ensure they fully understand the activity they are participating in, their role and responsibilities
- Phone in if they are ill or cannot attend for any other reason
- If they promise to find some information for someone make sure they keep your promise
- Be Professional
- Turn mobile phones off at events and meetings
- Wear appropriate dress, neat and casual or corporate attire and name tags where required
- Assist the organisers throughout the event as required
- When working in a school ensure they understand any information given about local arrangements, rules and policies
- Be approachable and friendly
- Be Tolerant
- Respect different opinions
- Be sensitive to different cultures
- Do not interrupt or correct others, if an issue arises, please address it in private
- Agree to disagree
- Be Trustworthy
- Respect confidential conversations
- Do not gossip about anyone
- Do not discuss, condone or admit to the use of drugs or any other illegal activity
- Do not condone, in any way, the excess use of alcohol
- Avoid any situation where they will be alone or unsupervised with a student
- Raise any concerns or problems immediately with their coordinator or the person they are working for
- Student Ambassadors should have a friendly relationship with the
young people but they are not their
friend - Do not have relationships outside of the university, do not exchange addresses or phone numbers
Participating in the program
Student ambassadors are not employees or contractors, but volunteers to the University.
Level of student involvement
- The Student Ambassador program is available to second and latter year students who are achieving satisfactory progress
- As a Student Ambassador, it is not expected that any one student ambassador should participate in the scheme for more than 30 volunteer hours per calendar year
- No student ambassador is expected to continue in the program for more than three years
- Student Ambassadors are not expected to attend any recruitment event or activity without the supervision of their coordinator (where the Divisional coordinator is not able to be present, a member of the Domestic Student Recruitment team may be able to supervise -this arrangement must be requested in advance and approved by the Manager, Domestic Student Recruitment)
- A student ambassador cannot undertake the duties normally required of a paid staff member
Costs
- All reasonable meal and/or travel costs incurred by a student in performance of the role will be reimbursed on production of a receipt. Reimbursement for any other costs will be considered on application by the student ambassador
- Student ambassadors are covered by the university's insurance arrangements during the course of their activity
- Students ambassadors who work for the Domestic Student Recruitment Team in the Future Student Enquires centre will be paid for their day's work
Reward and recognition
- As part of the program, student ambassadors will be provided with:
- University clothing and merchandise as is available and appropriate to the role
- The opportunity to participate in divisional and university wide marketing meetings as relevant
- Professional development opportunities such as a seminar on presentation and representational skills
- A certificate of recognition from the Vice Chancellor (or the relevant Pro Vice Chancellor)
- Recognition of their contribution to the Student Ambassadors Program on their academic transcript. (in negotiation)